Convertible furniture



06f. 4, 1932. Q A. PENRO'SE 1,881,095

I CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed March 2. 1931 I5 Sheets-Sheet l [f1/VEA rae Clara u?. Pen/rose .Bj

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Oct 4, 1932 c. A.' PENRosE 1,881,095

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed March 2, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented er. 4, 1932 'narran STATES FATENT @FFIQ CLARA AMELIA PENROSE, 0F LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR ONE-HALF T0 PHILIP OWEN IPENROSE, .OF LONDON, ENGLAND' f CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Application led March 2, i931, Serial No. 519,557, and in Great Britain March-3, 1930.

This invention relates to convertible furniture and has among its objects to provide an improvedy device of this character having numerous applications and uses and which,

` if desired, may be readily dismantled and packed into va small and compact form for transport.

According to the ,present invention, the improved device comprises a framework 10 adapted to provide arigid rectangularstructure for the support of one or more movable leaf members forming a table, dinner wagon or the like, and at one or each end of the Y framework a folding seat member hinged or otherwise mounted to form, when opened out or extended, an elevated seat for the sup- V port of av child up to the top of the device, such seat member being adapted, when folded or collapsed, to fit within or to lie against the respective end frame or member of the supporting framework. The leaf member or members may be slidably mounted and the supporting structure may be adapted for the location or support of such member or members in an alternative position or positions to provide a childs cot, a settee, an occasional or card table, a school desk, a bed-table or a music stool as desired. A collapsible rubber bath may be provided to lit into the device when it is adapted for use as a cot, and a book or music rest may be provided comprisking a supporting rod which may be fitted into a .suitable hole or socket at one or more positions-in the structure and which may also serve for the support of a canopy when the device is used as a cot. Furthermore, one or more detachable trays adapted to be supported at the end or ends of the structure, for instance by the seat-supporting members, may be provided.

The book rest and the tray or trays normally ,may be located when out of use within the end r frames of the structure. Furthermore, one .of the leaf or shelf members may be provided .with means 'on 'its underside for the v support ofair cushions or the like when out ofnse. Preferably, the supporting framework is constructed so that it is collapsible in such manner that the whole device may be packed into a compact form for transport.

For this purpose, the structure may comprise two end frames adapted to be connected together bymeans of readily detachable struts or the like. The supporting framework preferably is fitted with castor wheels or the like.

Figure 2 is an end elevation corresponding l to Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view corresponding to Figure l; v

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view illustrating a preferred form of catch for locating the slidable leaf members;

Figure 5 is a line diagram illustrating in perspective the arrangement of the parts for use as an occasional or card table;

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the devicel converted for use as a cot;

Figure 7 is a similar view showing the device converted for use as a settee; and

Figure 8 is a similar view showing the device converted for use as a music stool.

In carrying the invention into effect according to one construction, thf improved device comprises a supporting framework cnnsisting of two end frames each of which is formed to provide a pair of vertical members l connected at the top and also adjacent the lower end by horizontal cross-pieces 2, 3 respectively. The end frames are spaced apart adjacent the lower end by means of struts 4 which may engage the end frames by means of dowels and may be clamped thereto by means of any suitable form of clamping device 5. `The end frames may be braced to the struts 4 by means of stay rods 6 pivotally connected to the struts 4 and at their upper ends engaging with slotted plates 7 or the like fixed to the vertical members l, thumb nuts 6a or the like being provided for tightening the stay rods 6. At one side the end frames are Aconnected adjacent the top by means of a the, structure to. form a ,-bed-table the leaf strut 8 Which'maybe fixed to the end frames by means of removable pins 8a or other suitable means. At a substantially middle position iny the height vof the structure,vthe end frames' are formed at their inner sides With l ledges 9 for the support of aleaf 10 Which is prevented from sliding out of position by the vertical flanges 1a on the members 1.

VEach end framepis fitted at-the inner side" with spaced hf r.i`z'ont`al ledges 115,10, 1d, the upper ledges 1?) serving for thesupport'ofthe top leaf member 11, and the ledges 10,162 for V'the alternative support of an auXiliarylea-f member 12, the leaf-members 11r and 12 be ing, slidable into position through slots or" Openings, le. 12tlg fespetvely in the flens@ 1m Tfheflangesfltzf/,togetherwith spaced par-v allel-guijdesfl@serve toprovid'e vertical channels 1m for thev alternative reception ofthe leafV 11l or theleaf 12, It Will be'Y seen that the upper ledge 1?) is on allevel With the lower edge; of the respective slot 1e andfinv order to Vprevent the leaf 1-1 sliding out sideways,

spring catches 13 are provided, such catches, as shown more especiallyfin Flgure', .con- Sisting of aplunger 13a adapted to engage 1n a hole; 11a in` the edge of' the leaf, 11 'under thefa'ctionof a spring A15b', the outer end of the plunger being Vpivotally connectedto `a cem'` lever or member 130`at a point soV lo# cated inv relation to the edges of the member thatthe plungen 13a may begreadily/ held in the completely Withdrawn position or. in 'a Y half Withdrawn position in Which the rami'id-V ed; end of theplungerla acts as a ball catch.

vThe edges of the leaf memberspreferably are protectedA by sheet metal channel members Y junction With one vend frame Vmember ymay serve to locateltheauxiliary leaf member 12 so that,itfextendslengthwise at one side of member 12 in this position beinggsupported by the strutS. Theleaf 10 may be fitted With eyelets or the like at'its-undersidefor the suspension of a frame 14 which servesto carry an: cushions and" the likefor use with the l device, thesuspending cords4 14a orv ther-like being connected to common 'ring 14e` and passingbetween'ajpair of pulleys or other guiding members 140 so that by pulling the ring outvvardly'and anchoring! it to-afhool on proj ectionld, the frame 14V may be drawn close up beneath the'leaf 10. As an addi'- tionalmeans of stieningthe framework, the leaf'` 1 0'v mayk be clamped to the end ,frames by, means of'any. suitable clamping: devices ,15 being heldin tellinge, such as 2d.

At each end of the frame tWohingedly `mounted `brackets 17are provided, which 5a, for Ainstance having a link for engaging a hook on one part and co-operating With a cam lever device on the other part.YV d Y Each end frame is provided With crosslstruts 2d, 26 and the central'ropening 2c between the struts may serve :for Ythe reception of a tray 15`at one end and a bOol or music rest 15 at the other end, such rest 16 having a supporting rod 16a and the tray 15 and rest po-si'tionfby 'means ofjfas# brackets 17 mayserve as handles forlifting thedevice as a' Whole,but mainly serving, 1

When'opened out, for the support of a seat 18 having'a hinged back 19v connected tothe seat by means of a hinged strut 20, Y

' The seat is pivoted'tob'rackets fixed tothe members 1 and-the parts are soarranged` that the ba'clr1`9 maybe folded'dovvn upon the seat Y 18 and theparts'then folded upwardly into the position shown at theright-hand endof Figure 1, in which; position. they are held by the engagement of a ballfcatch or the'lik'e yj provided .at-the underside ofthe projecting part 129 on the cross-strut'2.v In vorder to prevent any possibilityv of the seat being disengaged. from thevsupportingy member 17 and at the same timeto afford additional protec- L,

tion for the child in the seat, Atvvo side gate members 21, 22y are provided, such members 21, 22k beingl hinged vertical-ly tothe end frames in such manner thatrvvhen out offuse they fold intothe space. between the upper cross-strut'2 and the cross-strut 2a; Thereupporting members 17 VVengage With a recessed cross-member 18a. Hired tothe undersideof the seat 18, and itis to y.be noted that the gate members 21, 22f`cannot beopenedlunlessthe seat isu correctly-engaged Withthe supporting members 17.` uThe tray l'referredto is fittedv With. a flanged metalftting 15a adapted. to ,engage slidably with a` metal plate 17 a upon the end of oneor the'rother of thefbrackets 17, While the rod 16a of. the blookv ormusic rest may be engaged AWith'one ofthe brackets 1-7 at the front side ofthe structure or fitted into a hole 2e in one ofthe'upper cross-struts 2, in which position itserves. asV a music rest or, if the rod ;v is used alone, for the support of a canopy in the case- Where the de-` vice is used as a cot. The vertical members 1 of theiframework preferably are fitted at the Vlower end With castor Wheels23;

, As illustrated diagrammaticallyin-Figure 5,7thcdevi'ce may be modified. for useas-lan occasional table by disengaging thejupper catches -13v and insertmgfthe leaf`12A in the vsame plane as theleaf 11, the catches 13 being engaged with suitablyY arranged'holes in the edgesof the leaves'll and 12 s o as to hold them with their'meetingedges .atlthe middle of the structure.V W ith this arrangement, the seats may belpartly opened yout so that iii@ the backs 19 of the seats form auxiliary tables for the support of cups or the like.

As shown in Figure 6, the device may bc modifiedl for luse as a cot by removing the leaves 11 and 12 from-the position shown in Figure 1 and inserting them in the vertical guides at the sides of the end frames, in which positions they may be held-by the catches 13 or other suitable means. In this arrangement, the rods 16a may be inserted in the hole 2c t0 SllPpOrt a canopy, while the brackets 17 may be opened out to provide handles for lifting the cot from place to place. y

As shown in Figure 7, the device may be used as a settee by inserting the top leaf 11 so that it is at an inclination, in which position it may be located by suitably arranged stops or guides at the inner sides of the end frames, and by inserting the auxiliary leaf member 12 into the slots lnJ so that its rear edge rests uponV the leaf and thus forms an inclined seat. In this arrangement, the book rest 16 may have its supporting rod 16a inserted in a hole in one of the brackets 17, and the tray 15 may be mounted upo'n one of the brackets 17.

As shown in Figure 8, the top leaf 11 may be inserted into the vertical guides at the rear side of the structure, in which position it is Vheld by the respective catches 13, and the auxiliary leaf 12 is inserted into the slots 1g and rests upon the ledges 10 thus providing a stool of suitable height for use at the piano. In this arrangement, the music rest 16 may have its rod 16a inserted in the hole 2e in the respective cross-strut 2 to provide a rest of suitableheight for use, for instance, by a vio- Vlinist.

v The device also may be adapted for use as a school desk, in which ease the leaf 11 is displaced towards the rear, for instance, into the position shown in Figure 5, while the leaf 12 is inserted into the slots 1g so that its rear Ledge is approximately below the front -edge of the leaf 11, thus forming a seat for children, using the leaf llas a desk and resting j their feet upon the leaf 10.

Y V.place of the brackets 17 and hinged struts 20, slotted links, chains or other equivalent means may be provided for sustaining the seats.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction hereinbeforedescribed` f Thus, the supporting framework may be constructed in any other suitable manner, while the means for supporting the flap members and seat members framework, although preferably made of wood, if desired, may be constructed in metal, or other suitable material.

If air cushions are employed, a suitable inflating device may be fixed to one of the end frames, and if desired, may be adapted to be operated by oscillating one of the hinged stretcher handles connected yin any suitable manner to the piston of the inflator.

What I claim is 1. An karticle ofA furniture comprising a supporting frame, a sea-t member hinged at one edge to the frame tovv swing upward against the frame or extend horizontally therefrom, a back rest hinged to the free edge of the seat member to fold over thereonto or extend upwardly therefrom, foldable braces pivoted to the seat member and to the back rest, side members hinged to the frame above the seat member to extend in vertical planes over the seat member against the inner sides of the braces, and brackets hinged to the frame below the seat member to extend outl under the seat member and constitute supports therefor and handles for moving the 2. An article of furniture comprising a supporting frame, a seat member hinged at one edge to the frame to swing upward against the frame or extend horizontally therefrom, a back rest hinged to the free edge of the seat member to fold over thereonto or extend upwardly therefrom, foldable braces in the various positions may be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, in

Furthermore, if desired, one or more drawers may be provided in any suitable position for instance, beneath thelo'wer shelf member.

The cushions may be held in position by if press-button fasteners or the like,lwhile the 

